Mahindra-backed Classic Legends, which has revived brands such as Jawa, Yezdi, and BSA, will soon start exporting motorcycles to seven markets, including the US, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Mexico, and the Middle East.
Anupam Thareja, co-founder of Classic Legends, told FE that the company will cover these seven markets by the end of 2025. “We will export the Jawa and BSA brands, and Yezdi will be primarily for the Indian market,” he said. “Exports to the US could have started by now, but got delayed due to the uncertain tariff scenario.”
Beginning April 2, 2025, the US has levied 25% import duty on all auto products, including motorcycles,from the earlier 2.4%.
As far as the UK is concerned, it levies 6-8% import tax on motorcycles, plus 20% VAT on the total value of the import, but the UK-India FTA is expected to reduce that to zero.
India is a big exporter of two-wheelers. In FY25, the country’s exports grew 21.4% to 4,198,403 units, up from 3,458,416 units in FY24. The major exporters are Bajaj Auto (1,674,060 bikes exported in FY25), TVS Motor Company (1,089,748 bikes), and Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (505,012 bikes). But they primarily make small capacity two-wheelers (100-200 cc) and export to Africa, Latin America, and South Asia, not to the developed markets.
“Developed markets want bigger bikes (350-cc and above), such as those made by Royal Enfield, and now Classic Legends,” an auto analyst said. “Royal Enfield, for instance, is big in the UK, the US, Germany, the Asean, and some Latin American countries. The BSA Gold Star, with its 652-cc engine, could find some traction in the developed markets.”
Classic Legends launched the Jawa series of motorcycles in November 2018, Yezdi in January 2022, and BSA in August 2024. On Wednesday, it rode in the new Yezdi Classic Adventure, priced starting Rs 2.14 lakh, ex-showroom.
As far as electric motorcycles are concerned, Thareja said that Classic Legends has the product ready, but possibly the market isn’t. “We will launch it in India when the charging infrastructure is good enough for electric motorcycles – most motorcycles are ridden outside cities, but the two-wheeler charging infrastructure is mostly developing within urban areas,” he said.
